Electric train-signal apparatus



(No Model.)

J. C. TIPPANY & J. R. DE MIER.

ELECTRIC TRAIN SIGNAL APPARATUS. l No. 373,160. Patented Nov. I5, 1887.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J OS-EPH C. TIFFANY AND JOHN R. DE MIER, OF LAS CRUCES, ASSIGNORS, BY DIRECT AND MESNE` ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE DE MIER ELECTRIC TRAIN SIGNAL COMPANY, OF ALBUQUERQUE, TERRITORY OF NEW MEXICO.

ELECTRIC TRAIN-SIGNAL APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.373,160, dated November 15, 1887.

Application tiled August 20, 1887. Serial No. 247,448. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JOSEPH; C. TIFFANY and JOHN R. DE MIER, citizens of the United States, residing at Las Cruces, in the county of Doa Aa, Territory of New Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Train-Signaling Apparatus; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the inven Io tion, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to an electric train vsignaling'apparatus; and it consists in certain I 5 constructions,arrangements, and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed, the same constituting an electric.signaling-coupling, by which the train-signaling apparatuses of coupled 2o cars are electrically connected and the train oi' cars provided with uninterrupted currents of electricity, and whereby also the electric coupling apparatus can be automatically uncoupled when a car is derailed or separated 2 5 from its fellow car, and whereby also the circuit can be closed by either pulling the ordinary pull-cord or a special device provided for the purpose. v

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is 3o a perspective view of our invention. Fig. 2is

a bottom view of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse section in the line :t of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of our invention. Fig. 5 is a view of the end portion of a car provided with our invention. Fig. 6 isa modified construction of vour invention. Fig. 7 is another modification of the contact mechanism, and Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the stationary portion of the coupling.

The letter A in the drawings represents-a base-plate of non-conducting material; B B', portions forming a coupling-head, and C a detachable coupling portion which enters the head formed by the portionsB B. The head portions B B are of symmetrical shape, and

are each formed on or provided with an angular plate, b, by which it is fastened to the plate A, so that both heads stand a suitable distance apart. The plate A is usually screwed to the end of a car on the outside, and, if de- 5o sired, this plate might beV dispensed with and the plates b b screwed to the car. Each plate b has a horizontal ilange, b, one of which is provided with a contact-spring, b2, and the other with a circuit-closing switch-spring, b3, the latter being moved whenever desired to make the contact by means of a pendent handle, b, which is pulled by the conductor of the train while outside the car. This contact can also be effected by pulling the ordinary 6o pull-cord, E, of the train,which is shown connected to the hook e of the switch-spring b3.

The inner surfaces of the head portions B B are provided with ribs b5, which serve as guides to corresponding grooves c in the conducting-plates c c2 of the coupling portion C, whereby the latter is held in place when inserted into said head portions. On the rib of the portion B a switch-spring, b, is provided, said spring crossing on the inside of the coupling-head from portion B to the other portion, B', thereof, as shown. The grooves c c of the plates c c2 are conveniently and cheaply formed by corrugating the metal of which the coupling portion C is made, in the manner illustrated. This mode of construction gives a strong and light device.

The plates c c2 are suitably fastened to a wooden or non-conducting handle portion, c, which incloses the end of a covering-cord, D, 8O containing portions of circuit-wires d d', leading from another coupling portion similar to the one; C, which has thus far been described, and which will be further described, such additional coupling portion belonging to the 8.5 coupling head of another car. The wires d d are suitably connected electrically with the plates c c2 of the respective coupling portions C of the signaling apparatus. On the inside, between the plates, a 9o switch-spring, c3, is applied, being attached to the plate c byone end, and having its other free end crossed over to the other plate, c2, said end having a non-conducting button, c5, on it,

and the same is extended through an opening gf,

in the grooved portion c of said plate, said button lying partly in the groove or corrugation c of the plate c?, as shown.

The switch-springs b6 and ca serve as circuitclosers when the coupling is uncoupled, and produce the proper electrical connection between the plates c' c2 and portions B B', and open the circuit when the coupling portion C is fully inserted between the head portions B B', this latter operation being eii'ected by the non-conducting button c5 bearing on one of the ribs b5 of the portions B B', and thereby keeping the spring c3 from contact with the plate c2, the spring b6 at the same time bearing upon portion c2 ofthe coupling portion C, this latter contact being due to the entrance of the portion C between the portions B B.

From the plates B B' other portions of circuit-wires d? d3 are passed to the interior of the car and to the other end of the same, where they are attached to other coupling-head portions similar to those, B B', described; or these wires may be passed down underneath or up above and along the top of the car, and be provided or not with the insulating rope covering. The circuit wires are in the usual manner to be connected to alarm mechanisms situated in the engineers cab and at other intermediate or necessary and desired points, and by the arrangement shown, when the circuit is closed, the alarm-signal is given.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the negative and positive currents of a battery of a railroad-train are conducted through all the ears, andare subject to the operation of the circuit-closer b3 of each of the cars of a train, which switches or closers b may be operated by the pull-cord E, connected to hook e ofthe spring b3 at either end of the car. Said cord, by being pulled,will op erate one or both switch-springs of the car and insure the closing of the circuit at one end if by accidental disarrangement it could not be accomplished at the other end.

-In ease of accident or the cars becoming un coupled or displaced in any manner, the detachable coupling portions C are automatically moved t'rom the head portions B B', and in sliding out from the same cause the springs c3 and b6 to close the circuit and give the signal or alarm.

The signals given by the apparatus may be the ordinary bell or gong signals, and need not be described.

Ve would state that while our invention is operated by means of the well-known open circuit, which we have found to be the most practical in railroad-trains, it will be equally useful and applicable for closed circuits by changing the arrangement of the parts in ways well understood by electricians.

In Fig. 6 we show the switch-spring b3 with a contact-hook, b", which, when the switch is pulled up, comes in contact with the conducting-plate b of the opposite current, and thus closes the circuit. This construction will be adopted only in such cases where the pullrope E cannot be passed through the end walls of the car below the coupling, but somewhere above the same.

In Fig. 7 we show as a modification of the plan shown in Fig. 6 a vertical rod passed down loosely through the plate b', said rod having two contact-buttons, g2 g3, on opposite sides of said plate, and said rod being connected by a shoulder and nut with the switchplate. By this construction the circuit can be closed either by an up or down movement of the switch-spring, the buttons g g3 coming, respectively, in contact with the plate b', accordingly as the spring b3 is operated.

Ve will state that by employing the spring device I)2 in connection with the switch spring b3, and in the relation tothe coupling described, there is no danger of the contact between b and b2 becoming clogged with dirt, and consequently not operating certainly at all times, for the sweeping or pushing movement of one spring part upon the other produces a polishing effect, whichV keeps the parts free from dirt and bright and sensitive. This is a very important feature in a signaling apparatus, especially on railroadcars.

What we claim as our invention is- 1. The electric signaling-coupling comprising the separated couplinghead portions B B', switch-spring b, and guiding-ribs b5, and the coupling portion C, having an insulating handle portion with ci rcuit-Wires secured in it, two separated conducting*y portions, o c2, formed with guiding grooves or corrugations, and a switch-spring, c3, with non-conducting circuitopening button extending into one of the corrugations or grooves, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination of the coupling-head, composed of two parts, with the spring contact device, composed also of two parts, one of which comprises a spring-arm arranged upon one part of the coupling-head and the other a springstop arranged upon the other part of the coupling-head, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof we afx our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH C. TIFFANY. JOHN R. DE MIER.

Witnesses:

WM. R. MERRITT, B. C. TODD.

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